Book excerpt: The unique and award-winning Unofficial Guides series is a collaboration between senior students, junior doctors and specialty experts. This combination of contributors understands what is essential to excel on your course, in exams and in practice – as well as the importance of presenting information in a clear, fun and engaging way. Packed with hints and tips from those in the know, when you are in a hurry and need a study companion you can trust, reach for an Unofficial Guide.The Unofficial Guide to Surgery provides a succinct yet comprehensive guide to the most common operations - what they are, why people are listed for surgery, how the surgery is done, post-operative care and possible complications. There are full colour illustrations of every procedure.This book will be invaluable for medical students and junior doctors and also as a day-to-day reference for professionals. - Introductory chapter - how to scrub, how to glove and gown, suture techniques, surgical positions - Includes more than 120 common operations across all the surgical sub-specialties - Thorough overview of indications and contraindications - Simple 'step-by-step' guide on how to perform the surgery - Post-operative course, complications and common questions asked by surgeons - Two colour illustrations per operation – will help you understand the underlying anatomy as well as the surgical procedure - Succinct and easy to read throughout - Diverse range of skin colours and tones - not often seen in other medical textbooks - New chapter on maxillofacial surgery